Hi. My name is Orly Hakimi. I’ve been running marathons for over twenty three years. Running the Boston Marathon has been a dream for much longer than that. 

To qualify to run Boston I need to run almost two full hours faster than my best time; a goal, be it genetics or physics, is beyond my physical abilities – for now?!?!

There is only one other way that my decades’ long dream can come true. I can secure a spot through joining a charity team. The minimum fundraising amount that B.A.A. (Boston Athletic Association) usually sets is at least $7,500 for the charity organizations. It’s a huge amount and therefore I have decided to get a head start and use GoFundMe to help me reach the next running of the Boston Marathon.          

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT FOR MY PERSONAL EXPENSES! This isn’t for registration, travel, or accommodation expenses. This is 100% for the charity organization to allow me to run. 

This idea came to me through a friend this past Boston Marathon Monday as I was sitting in front of TV watching the 126th Boston Marathon, and following her and other friends online, as I do every year. Every year I cry as I watch tens of thousands of athletes run this glorious marathon and I yearn to be a part of this most prestigious race of all time. As I wiped my tears (hopefully for the last time) I decided to do something proactive and start my fundraising ASAP. 

Your generous donation will go to an organization that inspires me very much. 

261 Fearless. It’s an organization launched by Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon and eventually pave the way for women to be allowed to run marathons. This organization supports and empowers women all around the globe through healthy living and athletics. Through local 261 women’s only running clubs, education programs, communication platforms and social events, the 261 Fearless network empowers and unites women around the world, breaking down the barriers of geography and creating a global community for women runners of all abilities to support and talk to each other, encouraging healthy living, a positive sense of self and fearlessness.

You can read more about the organization here https://www.261fearless.org/

Please be as generous as you can. As a token of my gratitude I will be wearing all of your names on my wrist and will take you along with me as I run from Hopkinton to Boylston Street. I’m tearing up again as I’m writing this. 

Boston Marathon is my Olympics. It’s my Super Bowl. It’s my Academy Awards. It’s my ultimate race dream. But without your generosity, it'll just keep being an unreachable dream. 

I want my next tears that I wipe to be my tears of joy at the finish line of Boston after the most amazing 26.2 miles known on Earth! 

Much love and gratitude!!